August 12, 2026

One of the dynamics of the in-state rivalry between U of M and MSU as well as a factor in THE GAME between U of M and THE OSU has been the presumed elitism of the students, graduates and fan base of U of M. The snobbishness has driven more than a few people to cheer for any team other than the maize and blue. However, the school in Ann Arbor appears to be doing everything it can to shed its historical commitment to higher education.

The University of Michigan just announced that starting in the fall of 2027, incoming freshman will no longer receive grades for their classes for their first semester. This is no joke, though it should be. Due to the mental health crisis experienced by so many freshman, the school has decided to take the pressure of grades off the students for their first semester. No scores, just participation trophies for everyone, like 4-year-old soccer. And this is higher education?

In order for something to qualify as being higher, that means that there has to be a standard by which a measurement can take place. How do you know if something is higher unless you are able to actually determine that something else is lower? How can you call it higher education if you throw out the standard by which education is measured?

I know the knock that the Buckeyes have lived with as having some pretty lax admission requirements, especially if you can run, throw, catch, tackle and block. But at least we have grades! Good grief, what’s next, playing THE GAME without keeping score? Holding hands at the 50, singing “Friends are friends forever” and giving each other roses? I get it that college has pressure, but that’s the point! It is designed to prepare people for a life of making and keeping promises, deadlines, expectations, and achievement. U of M dropped the SAT and ACT scores from their admissions process, which seemed crazy to me. Dropping grades for incoming freshman may simply be the next logical step. If you drop the admissions standards, then instead of admitting that we now have students that can’t keep up, we will get rid of grades so that no one has to face the music, yet.

What is a diploma worth that fails to prepare a student for life? The Russian government has been kidnapping every man they can and throwing them into war with virtually no training. The life expectancy of a new Russian soldier in battle is about 20 minutes! No training, no preparation = no life, no future.

We do not do anyone any favor when we consistently seek to pretend that life does not have pressure, and that decisions do not have consequences. I would not be surprised to see if beer and alcohol sales increase next fall, after all, if everyone’s a winner, who cares if you study, party, sleep in, play video games, or whatever? It’s only $36k a year for in-state room, board, and tuition and $80k a year for those out of state. Somebody has to compensate the board members for such genius ideas.

Loving someone is telling them what they need to hear for the purpose of helping them. Loving someone is helping them understand that God has set up laws, rules, borders, definitions, and eternity. Pretending that they do not exist does not make them go away, but only increases the anxiety when one faces them unprepared.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: Luke 21:29 - 38